A DRINK driver was caught behind the wheel despite already being banned from the roads, Island magistrates heard today (29).

Daniel Craig Harris, 27, of Harding Road, Ryde, admitted driving a Vauxhall Vectra on St John's Road, Ryde, on January 13, 2019, while over the legal alcohol limit. His breath test measured 52mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, when the legal limit is 35mg.

He also admitted driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, and obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty.

Ann Smout, prosecuting, said police saw Harris in the early hours and suspected he was drink driving. When they tried to stop him, he got out and ran off, then became threatening, and they had to deploy force to detain him.

She said: "An aggravating factor is that he tried to evade police. He was already disqualified from driving, and by virtue of that, was not insured either. He answered 'no comment' to all questions asked, however he has come to court today and pleaded guilty.

"In June last year he was given a lengthy ban for failing to provide a specimen — and was disqualified for 28 months."

Barry Arnett, representing Harris, said Harris was in fragile mental health following the death of his father, and had been helping a friend out by moving his car when he was caught.

Magistrates heard from the probation service that significant progress had been made and he was complying well with an existing community order.

Harris was given a 12 week custodial sentence on each offence, to run concurrently, but suspended for 12 months.

He was banned from driving for a further three years, and ordered to pay a £115 surcharge and £85 costs.